Golden Globes Tribute Gala Brazil Celebrates the Country’s Rich Artistic Heritage
The inaugural Golden Globes Tribute Gala Brazil took place at Rio de Janeiro’s famed Copacabana Palace hotel on March 18, as some of the biggest stars of Brazilian film and television gathered to dine, drink and dance well into the night.
Actors Bruna Marquezine and Lázaro Ramos hosted the ceremony celebrating Brazilian arts, the first-ever Golden Globes event in South America. The pair opened the night with a journey through the history of Brazilian movies, and singer Fafá de Belém closed it with a performance of songs from the country’s classic films.
Fernanda Montenegro, the grande dame of Brazilian cinema and a Golden Globe nominee for Central Station (1998), received the tribute’s top honor, the Apogeu Award, presented to a male and female whose body of work has made an enduring impact.
“No matter how much I say thank you, I cannot fully express the magnitude of this award, which reaches my hands as I approach one hundred years of age,” said the 96-year-old Montenegro in a message read by Ramos, as she was unable to attend.
The male recipient of the Apogeu Award was actor-director Antônio Pitanga, a central figure in Brazil’s Cinema Novo movement. Pitanga was presented with the trophy by his daughter, actress Camila Pitanga, whose emotional speech earned a standing ovation.
The Ascensão Award, dedicated to up-and-coming artists, went to actress Valentina Herszage, from Walter Salles’ Golden Globe-winning film I’m Still Here (2024), and to cinematographer Adolpho Veloso, nominated this month for an Academy Award for his work on Train Dreams (2025).
“Brazil has long been a powerhouse of creativity,” said Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes. “Its filmmakers, actors, writers, and artists have given the world stories filled with passion, humanity, and cultural richness; stories that transcend language and speak to audiences everywhere.
“Tonight represents an important moment for the Golden Globes and reflects our deep commitment to recognizing artistic excellence across the global film and television community.”
International names such as Frances Fisher, Famke Janssen, and Daniela Melchior also took to the stage to hand out the awards, which were chosen by a committee that included some Golden Globes voters.
The evening started with a red carpet gathering fueled by Moët & Chandon, the Official Champagne of the Golden Globes Tribute Gala Brazil, before a four-course dinner and an elegant after-party in the hotel’s lavish halls just steps away from Brazil’s most famous beach.
The event was produced by Urland Ventures LLC.